SCITUATE – In a rematch of final 12 months’s second-round contest, Westport as soon as once more got here up on prime over Boston International.
All it took was a pair of tallies off free kicks and nice play in web from junior Noah Amaral because the No. 8 Wildcats edged the fourth-seeded Lions, 2-0, at Scituate High on Tuesday night time within the Div. 5 state boys soccer semifinals.
“I’ve had a good run these last three years, but this team has that X-factor,” mentioned Westport coach Chris Parker about his workforce’s capability to get far into the state match. “Right from the get-go, I’ve been blessed to have the gritty teams, but this group has had that something extra.”
It would be the first state title look for the Wildcats as they may face the winner of Wednesday’s Douglas/Bromfield matchup.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” mentioned senior captain Ben Novo about advancing to the state title. “We’ve been working so hard for this.”
Boston International (19-3) might have had the shot benefit within the first half, however Westport (21-0-1) was capable of seize the lead within the twenty seventh minute.
On a free kick taken by Novo from 32 yards out, senior captain Marcos Dutra Africano was capable of put the ball behind the web to present the Wildcats the 1-0 lead.
“Last game, we were down and had to battle back (against Sutton),” mentioned Parker. “Getting that first goal was critical.”
In web, Amaral notched seven of his 10 saves within the first half as he got here up with 5 of these within the first 20 minutes of the competition.
“He is tremendous,” mentioned Parker concerning the varsity starter since seventh grade. “He puts in so much work into the offseason, but it’s a gift to have someone you trust wholeheartedly back there.”
Late within the first half, Boston International freshman Steevenson Clanson was given a purple card because the Lions performed a person down for the rest of the match.
Westport obtained a second tally within the 67th minute as senior captain Tommy Bernard scored off a crosser from junior Zach Lopes on one other free kick alternative.
“We heard about it and all of yesterday and the day before we just worked on free kicks,” Novo mentioned about what the workforce did after they heard about how Boston International fell to Latin Academy within the City League championship. “We’ve scored a lot of goals this year and whoever is in the box is either going for it or rebounding it.”
Other motion
Ronan Blake and Brett Amorosino scored for third-seeded Norwell (19-2-2) in a 2-0 Div. 3 state semifinal win over No. 26 Dighton-Rehoboth. … Colin Blake and Matt McAuliffe discovered the web as No. 4 Pembroke (18-2-1) defeated No. 1 Oakmont, 2-1.
Dylan Riley scored twice as No. 2 Lynnfield (18-2-2) held off third-seeded Hampshire 2-1 in a Div. 4 state semifinal.
Scores
FIELD HOCKEY
DIVISION 2 STATE SEMIFINALS
Norwood 2, Somerset Berkley 1
Reading 5, Hingham 0
DIVISION 3 STATE SEMIFINAL
Newburyport 2, Dover-Sher.
1 (2 ot)
DIVISION 4 STATE SEMIFINAL
Uxbridge 7, Sutton 0
BOYS SOCCER
DIVISION 3 STATE SEMIFINALS
Norwell 2, Dighton-Rehoboth 0
Pembroke 2, Oakmont 1
DIVISION 4 STATE SEMIFINALS
Lynnfield 2, Hampshire 1
Monomoy 1, Gardner 0
DIVISION 5 STATE SEMIFINAL
Westport 2, Boston International 0
GIRLS SOCCER
DIVISION 1 STATE SEMIFINALS
Bishop Feehan 1, Hopkinton 0
Natick 5, Brookline 2
DIVISION 2 STATE SEMIFINAL
Notre Dame (Hingham) 3, Masco 2 (so)
DIVISION 3 STATE SEMIFINAL
Norwell 2, Medfield 1
VOLLEYBALL
DIVISION 3 STATE SEMIFINAL
Weston 3, Wakefield 1
DIVISION 4 STATE SEMIFINALS
Bellingham 3, Frontier 1
Ipswich 3, Hudson 1
DIVISION 5 STATE SEMIFINAL
Bourne 3, Turners Falls 0
Source: www.bostonherald.com